Music at the University of Western
Ontario has followed a unique and interesting past; evolving into a Faculty in
1968; today it is one of the top centres of musical excellence in Canada.
Early beginnings were in 1903
with the formation of the Conservatory of London. The institute of Musical Art
was opened in 1919 to teach “the art and science of music, voice, culture, and
expression.” The institute operated under the auspices of the University of
Toronto and Toronto Conservatory.
Music classes were offered by
Western in 1934 which is the same year that the Institute was incorporated as
the Western Conservatory of Music. The Sunday Nine O’clock Series was launched the following year,
generating interest in music education at the university.
The principal of the
four-year-old Western Ontario Conservatory of Music was appointed Director of
Music for the University in year 1938. When the McIntosh Gallery opened in
1942, the conservatory offices were moved into the building. During the 1943-44
academic years, 12 students were allowed to take a music course for academic
credit.
In 1948, with financial
assistance from the A.E. Silverwood Foundation, the Music Teachers' College was
established to provide a level of professional training at the University of Western Ontario.
Three levels of instruction were
established; secondary level instruction at Western Conservatory, Music
Teacher’s College at the collegiate level, and the Department of Music in
University College.
Music continued at the McIntosh
Gallery, but space became increasingly cramped. Nine years later, in 1957 the
Silverwood Foundation presented the residence and grounds to the University of Western Ontario, as a
permanent home for the Music College in memory of A. E. Silverwood, who was
governor of the University from 1930-1954.
In 1957 the Music Teacher’s
College relocated to “Goodholme” as the residence was known.
In 1961 the name of the college
was changed to College of Music when it became part of the Faculty of Arts and
Sciences. Even today the building is still known as the “Silverwood Block.”
Seven years later on July 1st
1968, as a result of the re-organization of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences,
the College of Music became a separate facility. In 1971, the construction of
the Music Building on campus was completed.Following a generous donation
from Dr. Donald Wright in October of 2002 the Faculty of Music was renamed the
Don Wright Faculty of Music.
With more than 500 undergraduate students, 110 graduate
students and more than 100 teachers, the Faculty is small enough to foster the
development of close-working relationships with professors and colleagues, yet
large enough to support a full symphony orchestra, fully staged opera and
musical theatre productions, prize-winning choirs and a top-notch wind band
program. Today UWO produces more than 300 concerts each year, most of
which are free and open to the public.
The Don Wright Faculty of Music also houses the world
renowned Piano Technical program which migrated from George Brown College in
Toronto during the mid to late 1980’s.
Goodholme is situated within King's
University College, a sprawling, park-like campus at the University of Western
Ontario. Together with several other historic buildings, including St. Peters
Seminary, it contributes to the serene atmosphere of the property.
Goodholme is a fine example of the
Tudor Revival style of architecture executed on a large residential scale.
Characteristic of this style, the house features steeply-pitched rooflines and
tall windows. It is composed of stone, half-timbering and stucco. Other
elements that typify the Tudor Revival style include the multi-paned windows,
the decorative carvings on the projecting window bays and the dormer windows on
the façade and all elevations. Also of note is the recessed entry on the
façade, which features a projecting stone arcade
and covered driveway.
